Initially, the scientists found that EGCG could be oxidized to EGCG quinone in mice, and then rapidly react with ammonia to generate an aminated EGCG metabolite.

Aminated metabolite has roughly the same biological activities of EGCG. Both EGCG and its aminated metabolite could further scavenge RCS to produce the RCS conjugates of EGCG and the aminated EGCG. Interestingly, both the aminated and the RCS conjugated metabolites of EGCG were detected in humans after drinking four cups of green tea per day.

Now the role of the microbiota comes into play

Gut microbiota are enablers: they ease creation of aminated metabolite of EGCG, the RCS conjugates of EGCG, and the RCS conjugates of the aminated EGCG. And oxygen is not needed for trapping the reactive species; this implies that EGCG and its aminated metabolite could scavenge RCS in the GI track and in the circulation system.

The authors state: “Altogether, this study provides in vivo evidences that EGCG has the capacity to scavenge toxic reactive metabolic wastes. This finding opens a new window to understand the underlying mechanisms by which drinking tea could prevent the development of chronic diseases.”

Put simply, make a resolution to drink green tea—lots of it. As a trash collector, it is a cheap and tasty way of neutralizing toxins in your gut with the assist of microbes.